Microsoft launches initiative to promote local software

Microsoft (Thailand) has worked with the National Science and Technology Development (NSTDA), the Association of Thai Software Industry and Rangsit University to set up the Microsoft Innovation Centre (MIC) in Thailand.

Located at the Rangsit University's Sathorn Thai campus, the centre will encourage local software developers to develop software, which is expected to create a value of Bt6 billion in the first three years.

Microsoft  Unlimited Potential Group vice president Michael Rawding said the centre aims to support independent software vendors, investors and more than 200 members of local software industry to create new software and facilitate technology transfer to help the local software industry conform to international standards. It will also act as a liaison between software developers and businesses.

Patama Chantaruck, managing director of Microsoft (Thailand) said the company will spend about Bt1 billion for the first three years of the centre's operation.

It will also act as a facilitator for knowledge and technology transfer, and will help showcase new software solutions such as radio-frequency identification, fingerprint technology and mobile applications.

"The centre will also act as a marketplace and will promote local software in the global market," she said. Pairash Thajchayapong, senior adviser of NSTDA said the agency will act as a medium to connect software developers with the government sector to help tap governmental requirements.    

 Microsoft started setting up MIC across the world last year and there are about 110 centres in 36 countries as of now.